Poor Scots 3 times more chance of death than rich

Scotland’s poorest are three times more likely to die before 25 than people from less deprived areas.

Aberlour commissioned the research which showed a chasm of inequality between the richest and poorest in Scotland.

The findings have prompted the charity to launch an urgent fundraising campaign carrying the message that A Bad Start Shouldn’t Mean a Bad End backed by leading politicians.

Deaths were mapped using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).

A rate of 0.21 deaths per 1,000 people among under 25s in the poorest areas compared with a rate of 0.07 in the richest.

It also found that young men and boys were far more likely to die before 25 than young women and girls.

Johnny Hendry, a youth worker at Aberlour's Youthpoint Service in Govan, said: "A lot of young people we work with come from chaotic backgrounds, their parents have mental health problems, drug or alcohol addictions, and many are living in poverty.

"What young people in these situations need is somebody that's going to listen to them, believe in them, and support them."

Prof Morag Treanor, of Heriot-Watt University, who carried out the research for the charity said the findings were linked to housing, neighbourhoods, health inequalities, nutrition, outdoor space, education and access to activities as well as the stresses poverty caused families.

"The results of the research really couldn't paint a clearer message and underlines the massive inequality between rich and poor in this country," she said.

SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of Aberlour Child Care Trust, said: “This research makes for a really shocking read. We know that in order to break this cycle of deprivation we need to get to Scotland’s young people early. We are currently supporting 7,500 vulnerable children and young people across Scotland, but we know that there are thousands more that urgently need our help.”

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.